Motorized Fluid Flow Control Valve

ABSTRACT

A fluid flow control valve includes a valve body and a motorized unit. The valve body is supported in a fluid system between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and is moved between an opened condition for enabling a flow of fluid to flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet and a closed condition for blocking the fluid to flow to the fluid outlet. The motorized unit includes an electric motor and an actuator which is operatively linked to the electric motor and is coupled with the valve body, wherein when the electric motor is activated, the actuator is driven to rotate to actuate the valve body between the opened condition and the closed condition.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation application that claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 120 to a non-provisional application, U.S. applicationSer. No. 14/582,198, filed Dec. 24, 2014. The afore-mentioned patentapplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to any reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as itappears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent files orrecords, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a valve, and more particular to amotorized fluid control valve, which is powered by a motorized unit toselectively actuate the valve body between an opened condition and aclosed condition.

Description of Related Arts

A regulator is a device for regulating and controlling a flow of fluid,wherein the regulator generally comprises a valve supported in apassageway, and a handle actuator being actuated to selectively closethe valve to stop the fluid to pass through the passageway open thevalve to allow the fluid to pass through the passageway. For example, afaucet valve, such as a ceramic disc faucet valve, is installed into afaucet device, wherein the valve comprises a plurality of discs movingagainst each other. When the handle actuator is manually actuated tomove the discs away from each other, the valve is opened for allowingthe water to pass through the passageway. Likewise, when the discs aremoved toward each other by the handle actuator, the passageway is sealedto block the water to pass through. Another example of the valve is aflush valve, such as a relief valve, installed into a urinal system,wherein the handle actuator, i.e. the flush lever, is manually actuatedto move a diaphragm for completing the flushing operation. The commonproblem of these valves is that the valves must be operated manually.

For hygiene purposes, an automatic operated valve is developed, whereinthe automatic operated valve is operated by a solenoid as a replacementof the handle actuator. It is known that the solenoid is made of anumber of circular wire loops to generate a magnetic force when anelectric current is passed through the wire loops. When the flush valveincorporates the solenoid, the solenoid may come in contact with water,such that the solenoid may accumulate rusting particles from the water,which may remain on the solenoid. It is one of the common problems tocause a failure of operation of the flush valve. In other words, theconventional manual operated flush valve is more reliable than thesolenoid operated automatic flush valve. Thus, the maintenance cost ofthe solenoid operated automatic flush valve is higher than that of theconventional manual operated flush valve.

The configuration of the solenoid operated automatic flush valve iscomplicated, wherein once the solenoid is broken or the battery is dead,the facility should call a technician to open an outer cover anddisassemble an inner cover for the replacement of the solenoid or thebattery. Due to the complicated structure of the solenoid operatedautomatic flush valve, the solenoid operated automatic flush valverequires a skilled technician to replace the broken solenoid and/or evenreplace the battery, which may further increase the maintenance cost ofthe infrared operated automatic flush valve.

Furthermore, solenoid does not provide enough power to actuate thevalve. Accordingly, for high pressure fluid regulator, the valve must bestrong enough to withstand the pressure of the fluid. However, thesolenoid cannot generate a powerful actuation force, i.e. the torque, toactuate the valve. Therefore, the solenoid cannot incorporate withdifferent types of valves.

More importantly, the solenoid cannot control the volume of fluid.Accordingly, the solenoid can only actuate the valve either at theopened condition or at the closed condition. Therefore, there exists agreat need for controlling volume of fluid to meet the differentrequirements and situations of using the valve.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a motorized fluidcontrol valve, which is powered by a motorized unit to selectivelyactuate the valve body between an opened condition and a closedcondition.

Another advantage of the invention is to a motorized fluid controlvalve, which can incorporate with different types of fluid systems.

Another advantage of the invention is to a motorized fluid controlvalve, which generates power torque as the actuation force, such thatthe motorized fluid control valve is able to control any high pressurefluid system.

Another advantage of the invention is to a motorized fluid controlvalve, which can control the volume of fluid, such that the valve bodycan be moved between the opened condition and the closed condition toselectively adjust the volume of fluid.

Another advantage of the invention is to a motorized fluid controlvalve, which can be remotely controlled by any remote controller.

Another advantage of the invention is to a motorized fluid controlvalve, which does not require altering the original structural design ofthe fluid system in order to incorporate with the present invention.

Another advantage of the invention is to a motorized fluid controlvalve, which is reliable and that can be easily installed andmaintained.

Another advantage of the invention is to a motorized fluid controlvalve, wherein the motorized unit comprises an electric motor to avoidwater damage and to enhance performance and reliability.

Another advantage of the invention is to a motorized fluid controlvalve, which provides an economic and efficient solution forincorporating with the conventional fluid system in a simple andeconomical way.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparentfrom the description which follows, and may be realized by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appendedclaims.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects andadvantages are attained by a fluid flow control valve for a fluid systemhaving a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, comprising a valve body and amotorized unit.

The valve body is supported in the fluid system between the fluid inletand the fluid outlet, and is moved between an opened condition forenabling a flow of fluid to flow from the fluid inlet to the fluidoutlet and a closed condition for blocking the fluid to flow to thefluid outlet.

The motorized unit comprises an electric motor and an actuator which isoperatively linked to the electric motor and is coupled with the valvebody, wherein when the electric motor is activated, the actuator isdriven to rotate to actuate the valve body between the opened conditionand the closed condition

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the presentinvention comprises a method of controlling a flow of fluid from a fluidinlet of a fluid system to a fluid outlet thereof, comprising thefollowing steps.

(A) Support a valve body in the fluid system between the fluid inlet andthe fluid outlet, wherein the valve body is moved between an openedcondition and a closed condition.

(B) Couple an actuator with the valve body.

(C) Drive the actuator to rotate by an electric motor to actuate thevalve body between the opened condition and the closed condition.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fluid flow control valve fora fluid system according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the fluid flow control valve for the fluidsystem according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, illustrating a closed condition of the valve body.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the fluid flow control valve for the fluidsystem according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, illustrating an opened condition of the valve body.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the valve body of the fluid flow control valvefor the fluid system according to the above preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, illustrating the valve body being moved between theclosed condition and the opened condition.

FIG. 5 illustrates the fluid flow control valve incorporating with afaucet system as the fluid system according to the above preferredembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments areprovided in the following description only as examples and modificationswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principlesdefined in the following description would be applied to otherembodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applicationswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a fluid flow control valve for afluid system according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated, wherein the fluid system can be a water faucetsystem, a gas delivering system, or an air distributing system.Accordingly, the fluid system comprises a T-shaped piping member 10having a fluid inlet 11, a fluid outlet 12, and a fluid chamber 13between the fluid inlet 11 and the fluid outlet 12, wherein the pipingmember 10 is arranged to guide a flow of fluid, such as water, gas orair, to pass from the fluid inlet 11 to the fluid outlet 12 through thefluid chamber 13.

The fluid flow control valve of the present invention comprises a valvebody 20 supported in the fluid system. In particular, the valve body 20is supported at the fluid chamber 13, wherein the valve body 20 is movedbetween an opened condition for enabling the fluid to flow from thefluid inlet 11 to the fluid outlet 12, and a closed condition forblocking the fluid to flow from the fluid inlet 11 to the fluid outlet12.

The fluid flow control valve further comprises a motorized unit 30 whichcomprises an electric motor 31 and an actuator 32 which is operativelylinked to the electric motor 31 and is coupled with the valve body 20,wherein when the electric motor 31 is activated, the actuator 32 isdriven to rotate to actuate the valve body 20 between the openedcondition and the closed condition.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the valve body 20 comprises a tubularcontrolling housing 21 supported in the fluid chamber 13 and a valvecontrolling arm 22 rotatably supported at the controlling housing 21.Accordingly, the controlling housing 21 has a housing opening 211coaxially aligned with the fluid outlet 12 and a housing entrance 212formed at a surrounding wall of the controlling housing 21 to align withthe fluid inlet 11. Therefore, the fluid is guided to flow into thecontrolling housing 21 from the housing entrance 212 and to flow out ofthe controlling housing 21 at the housing opening 211.

The valve controlling arm 22 has a sealing end 221 extended to thehousing opening 211 and a free end 222 extended out of the controllinghousing 21, wherein the free end 22 of the valve controlling arm 22 iscoupled to the actuator 32 so as to drive the valve controlling arm 22to rotate at the controlling housing 21. Accordingly, when the free end222 of the valve controlling arm 22 is actuated to be rotated, thesealing end 221 of the valve controlling arm 22 to seal at the fluidoutlet 12 of the valve body 20, so as to block the fluid to flow fromthe fluid inlet 11 to the fluid outlet 12. It is worth mentioning thatwhen the valve controlling arm 22 is rotated within the controllinghousing 21 at the closed condition, the housing entrance 212 of thecontrolling housing 21 is closed by the valve controlling arm 22.Therefore, the valve body 10 is closed by sealing the housing opening211 by the sealing end 221 of the valve controlling arm 22 to and bysealing the housing entrance 212 by the valve controlling arm 22.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the free end 222 of the valve controlling arm22 is engaged with the free end of the actuator 32. In particular, thevalve controlling arm 22 further has an engaging slot 223 formed at thefree end 222 thereof, wherein the engaging slot 223 is an elongated slotindent at the free end 22 of the valve controlling arm 22. The actuator32 has an engaging latch 321 integrally protruded from at the free endthereof to engage with the engaging slot 223 so as to drive the valvecontrolling arm 22 to rotate. Accordingly, when the engaging latch 321is engaged with the engaging slot 223, the free end of the actuator 32is engaged with the free end 222 of the valve controlling arm 22end-to-end. Therefore, when the actuator 32 is rotated, the valvecontrolling arm 22 is driven to rotate.

In order to prevent any misalignment between the engaging latch 321 isengaged with the engaging slot 223, the valve controlling arm 22 furtherhas an alignment hole 224 formed within the engaging slot 223, whereinthe alignment hole 224 is indented at a bottom wall of the engaging slot223. The actuator 32 further has an alignment member 322 integrallyprotruded from the engaging latch 321, wherein the alignment member 322is engaged with the alignment hole 224 when the engaging latch 321 isengaged with the engaging slot 223, so as to ensure an engagementbetween the engaging latch 321 and the engaging slot 223.

As shown in FIG. 4, the valve body 20 further comprises a valveactuating unit 23 supported within the controlling housing 21, whereinthe valve actuating unit 23 comprises a stationary valve 231 having atleast an opening slot 232 communicating with the housing opening 211,and a movable valve 233 rotatably supported below the stationary valve231. Accordingly, the sealing end 221 of the valve controlling arm 22 isextended to couple with the movable valve 233, such that when the valvecontrolling arm 22 is rotated at one direction, the movable valve 233 isrotated to close the opening slot 232 for blocking the air to flow tothe fluid outlet 12. Likewise, when the valve controlling arm 22 isrotated at the opposite direction, the movable valve 233 is rotated toopen the opening slot 232 for allowing the air to flow to the fluidoutlet 12.

Accordingly, the electric motor 31 is electrically connected to a powersource P to generate a rotational power. In particular, the electricmotor 31 is arranged to generate the reversible rotation power. When theelectric motor 31 generates the rotational power at a clockwisedirection, the valve body 20 is moved from the closed condition to theopened condition. When the electric motor 31 generates the rotationalpower at a counter-clockwise (reversed) direction, the valve body 20 ismoved from the closed condition to the opened condition. It is worth tomention that the electric motor 31 is more reliable than the solenoidbecause the electric motor 31 provides simple mechanical work ratherthan using the magnetic force, so as to minimize the failure operationof the motorized unit 30 and to reduce the maintenance cost of thepresent invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the motorized unit 30 further comprises a gearunit 33 operatively linked between an output end of the electric motor31 and the actuator 32 for adjustably controlling a rotational speed ofthe actuator 32. The gear unit 33 comprises a set of gears engaging witheach other to transmit the rotational power from the electric motor 31to the actuator 32. In particular, the gear unit 33 is arranged toselectively adjust the torque from the electric motor 31 to the actuator32 in order to adjustably control the rotation speed of the actuator 32.For example, when the rotational output of the electric motor 31 is 1000rpm, the gear unit 33 will adjust to the actuator 32 at 10 rpm.Therefore, the rotational speed and torque can be selectively adjustedat the actuator 32 in order to generate enough power to actuate thevalve controlling arm 22 of the valve body 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the motorized unit 30 further comprises atubular retention housing 34 extended between the electric motor 31 andthe controlling housing 21. In particular, one end of the retentionhousing 34 is affixed to the gear unit 33 which is coupled to theelectric motor 31, while another end of the retention housing 34 isdetachably coupled to the controlling housing 21. Accordingly, the freeend 222 of the valve controlling arm 22 is engaged with the free end ofthe actuator 32 within the retention housing 34, so as to protect theengagement between the valve controlling arm 22 and the actuator 32.

According to the preferred embodiment, the fluid flow control valvefurther comprises a control module 40 operatively linked to themotorized unit 30 to control an operation of the motorized unit 30.Accordingly, the control module 40 comprises a control panel 41operatively linked to the electric motor 31 for controlling anactivation of the electric motor 31 and an angular movement of theactuator 32. In other words, the angular movement of the actuator 32will be adjusted to control a volume of the fluid to pass from the fluidinlet 11 to the fluid outlet 12. For example, when the angular movementof the actuator 32 is moved at the opened condition, maximum volume ofthe fluid will pass from the fluid inlet 11 to the fluid outlet 12. Whenthe angular movement of the actuator 32 is moved between the openedcondition and the closed condition, a predetermined volume of the fluidwill pass from the fluid inlet 11 to the fluid outlet 12. Preferably,the control panel 41 comprises a circuit panel to control the activationof the electric motor 31 and an angular movement of the actuator 32.

In order to control the control panel 41, the control module 40 furthercomprises a communication link 42 operatively linked to the controlpanel 41. Depending on the usage of the fluid flow control valve, thecommunication link 42 can be configured as a remote control and/orsensor control. As shown in FIG. 1, the fluid flow control valveincorporating with a gas delivering system as the fluid system, whereinthe fluid inlet 11 and the fluid outlet 12 are the gas inlet and the gasoutlet of the gas delivering system respectively. The communication link42 comprises a remote controller wirelessly linked to the control panel41. Therefore the user is able to remotely control the activation of themotorized unit 30 to move the valve body 20 between the closed conditionand the opened condition. In particular, the communication link 42 willalso control the angular movement of the actuator 32 to adjust thevolume of gas to pass from the fluid inlet 11 to the fluid outlet 12.

FIG. 5 illustrates the fluid flow control valve incorporating with afaucet system as the fluid system. The faucet system comprises a waterpassage defining the piping member 10 thereat, wherein the fluid inlet11 and the fluid outlet 12 are the water inlet and the water outlet ofthe faucet system respectively. In particular, the communication link 42comprises an infrared sensor linked to the control panel 41 fordetecting the presence of a user of the faucet system. When the infraredsensor detects the presence of the user of the faucet system, theinfrared sensor sends an infrared signal to the control panel 41, suchthat the electric motor 31 is activated to generate the rotational powerto drive the actuator 32. As a result, the valve controlling arm 22 isdriven to rotate from the closed condition to the opened condition so asto allow the water to flow from the fluid inlet 11 to the fluid outlet12. Once the user is out of the detecting range of the infrared sensor,the infrared sensor sends a second infrared signal to the control panel41, such that the electric motor 31 is re-activated to drive theactuator 32 to rotate at the opposite direction so as to drive the valvecontrolling arm 22 back to the closed condition from the openedcondition.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isexemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have beenfully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown anddescribed for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structuralprinciples of the present invention and is subject to change withoutdeparture from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes allmodifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling a flow of fluid from afluid inlet of a fluid system to a fluid outlet thereof, comprising thesteps of: (a) supporting a valve body in said fluid system between saidfluid inlet and said fluid outlet, wherein said valve body is movedbetween an opened condition and a closed condition; (b) coupling anactuator with said valve body; and (c) driving said actuator to rotateby an electric motor to actuate said valve body between said openedcondition and said closed condition.
 2. The method, as recited in claim1, wherein the step (c) further comprises a step of adjustablycontrolling a rotational speed of said actuator via a gear unit which isoperatively linked between an output end of said electric motor and saidactuator.
 3. The method, as recited in claim 2, wherein the step (b)further comprises the steps of: (b.1) rotatably supporting a valvecontrolling arm of said valve body at a tubular controlling housingthereof at a position that a free end of said valve controlling arm isextended out of said controlling housing; and (b.2) coupling said freeend of said valve controlling arm with said actuator, such that whensaid actuator is driven to rotate, said valve controlling arm is rotatedwithin said controlling housing.
 4. The method, as recited in claim 3,wherein the step (b.2) further comprises the steps of: (b.2.1) formingan engaging slot at said free end of said valve controlling arm; and(b.2.2) integrally protruding an engaging latch from said free end ofsaid valve controlling arm to engage with said engaging slot so as todrive said valve controlling arm to rotate.
 5. The method, as recited inclaim 4, wherein the step (b.2) further comprises the steps of: (b.2.3)forming an alignment hole formed within said engaging slot; and (b.2.4)integrally protruding an alignment member from said engaging latch toengage with said alignment slot to ensure an engagement between saidengaging latch and said engaging slot.
 6. The method, as recited inclaim 2, further comprising a step of extending a tubular retentionhousing between said electric motor and said controlling housing at aposition that said free end of said valve controlling arm is engagedwith said actuator within said retention housing.
 7. The method, asrecited in claim 3, further comprising a step of extending a tubularretention housing between said electric motor and said controllinghousing at a position that said free end of said valve controlling armis engaged with said actuator within said retention housing.
 8. Themethod, as recited in claim 4, further comprising a step of extending atubular retention housing between said electric motor and saidcontrolling housing at a position that said free end of said valvecontrolling arm is engaged with said actuator within said retentionhousing.
 9. The method, as recited in claim 5, further comprising a stepof extending a tubular retention housing between said electric motor andsaid controlling housing at a position that said free end of said valvecontrolling arm is engaged with said actuator within said retentionhousing.
 10. The method, as recited in claim 6, further comprising astep of extending a tubular retention housing between said electricmotor and said controlling housing at a position that said free end ofsaid valve controlling arm is engaged with said actuator within saidretention housing.
 11. The method, as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising a step of controlling an activation of said electric motorand an angular movement of said actuator via a control module in orderto control a volume of said fluid to pass from said fluid inlet to saidfluid outlet.
 12. The method, as recited in claim 2, further comprisinga step of controlling an activation of said electric motor and anangular movement of said actuator via a control module in order tocontrol a volume of said fluid to pass from said fluid inlet to saidfluid outlet.
 13. The method, as recited in claim 3, further comprisinga step of controlling an activation of said electric motor and anangular movement of said actuator via a control module in order tocontrol a volume of said fluid to pass from said fluid inlet to saidfluid outlet.
 14. The method, as recited in claim 4, further comprisinga step of controlling an activation of said electric motor and anangular movement of said actuator via a control module in order tocontrol a volume of said fluid to pass from said fluid inlet to saidfluid outlet.
 15. The method, as recited in claim 5, further comprisinga step of controlling an activation of said electric motor and anangular movement of said actuator via a control module in order tocontrol a volume of said fluid to pass from said fluid inlet to saidfluid outlet.
 16. The method, as recited in claim 6, further comprisinga step of controlling an activation of said electric motor and anangular movement of said actuator via a control module in order tocontrol a volume of said fluid to pass from said fluid inlet to saidfluid outlet.
 17. The method, as recited in claim 7, further comprisinga step of controlling an activation of said electric motor and anangular movement of said actuator via a control module in order tocontrol a volume of said fluid to pass from said fluid inlet to saidfluid outlet.
 18. The method, as recited in claim 8, further comprisinga step of controlling an activation of said electric motor and anangular movement of said actuator via a control module in order tocontrol a volume of said fluid to pass from said fluid inlet to saidfluid outlet.
 19. The method, as recited in claim 9, further comprisinga step of controlling an activation of said electric motor and anangular movement of said actuator via a control module in order tocontrol a volume of said fluid to pass from said fluid inlet to saidfluid outlet.
 20. The method, as recited in claim 10, further comprisinga step of controlling an activation of said electric motor and anangular movement of said actuator via a control module in order tocontrol a volume of said fluid to pass from said fluid inlet to saidfluid outlet.